HMRC confirms payment change for £104 benefit before Monday

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed a payment change for households claiming Child Benefit this month.

Child Benefit is issued to eligible parents or guardians who are responsible for raising a child under the age of 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. The benefit is usually paid every four weeks, either on a Monday or a Tuesday, at a current rate of £26.05 per week for one child, and £17.25 per week for each additional child. The payment rates were uplifted by 1.7% in April meaning parents with one child now get £1,354.60 per year, while parents with two children can get £2,251.60, and parents with three children can get £3,148.60.

But there's no limit – other than the Benefit Cap – which means if you had four children, or five, and so on, you could get even more than £3,148, with £897 for each additional child.

As Child Benefit is paid every four weeks, it means parents with one child will get £104.20 per month, while those with additional children will get an extra £69 per month – but the payment dates change if it’s due on a bank holiday.

In England, Wales and Scotland, the August summer bank holiday falls on Monday, 25. As Child Benefit is normally paid on a Monday or a Tuesday, this may disrupt payments for some claimants.

HMRC has confirmed that those who are due to receive a payment on Monday, August 25, will instead be paid three days early on Friday, August 22, as this is the earliest working day before the bank holiday.

In Scotland, the August bank holiday falls at the start of the month on August 4, so claimants living in this part of the country won’t be affected.

HMRC said: “Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. There are different payment dates if it’s due on a bank holiday.

“You can work out when you’re next going to get Child Benefit by counting 4 weeks forward from your last payment. Do not count forward if your payment was due on a bank holiday - the dates are different.

“Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment.”